1963 US Army Vietnam War Armor Operations ... - Survival Books

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMd. A unit is outflanked when enemy forces maximum damage upon the enemy as he atwitha capability of adversely affecting the mis- tempts to close on the delay position.sion of the delaying force are on the flank orin the rear of the delaying force.262. Planninge. Offensive action is taken whenever oppor- a. General. Planning the delaying action istunities arise to inflict serious damage on the centralized but execution is decentralized. Orenemy;disengage a unit decisively engaged; ders to armor units will state the mission norseizedominating terrain; or deceive the enemy. mally in general terms and specify, as a minif.Delaying actions are accomplished by- mum, the following:(1) Delay on successive positions. In the (1) The general location of the initial dedelayon successive positions, the ini-laying position (IDP). This generaltial delaying position is organized andlocation is refined at each level of comoccupiedby the unit. When with-mand until, finally, positions are sedrawalbecomes necessary, the unitlected for men, weapons, and combatdisplaces to the next rearward delay-vehicles. If the unit is in contact whening position providing certain ele-the order to initiate the delay is rementsto remain in contact with theceived, the present friendly positionsenemy. This procedure is repeated may become the IDP.through successive delay positions. (2) Area for delay. The area assigned toBecause wide frontages are commoneach unit down to company team levelin the delay, armor units will nor-is indicated by lateral boundaries.mally delay on successive positions.Company team commanders normally(2) Delay on alternate positions. The assign areas to their platoons by orienforceis divided into two elements.tation on the ground.The first element occupies the initial (3) Period of delay. Commanders guidedelaying position while the second ele-their subordinate's planning by anmentoccupies and improves the nextnouncing the time the enemy is to berearward delay position. When the held forward of a specified line. Thefirst element is forced to withdraw, itprimary purpose of this measure is todisplaces through or around the sec-assist coordinated action among adondelement and moves to occupy andjacent forces and establish a plannedimprove the subsequent delay po-time phasing of the operation. Thesition to the rear. Before displacing,stated time does not imply authoritythe first element provides certainfor withdrawal or displacement. Theforces to remain in contact with thedelaying force holds the enemy forenemy.As the enemy continues to ward of designated areas for the longadvance,the second element repeatsest time possible.thetheprocedureprocedureusedusedbybythethefirstfirstele-ele- (4) Contemplated future action. Any fument.Armor units will seldom oper-ture plans, such as a withdrawalate on a front narrow enough to per-through or around a rearward posimitdelay on alternate positions.tion, must be announced if they affectNote. A combination of (1) and (2) abovethe planning of subordinates.may be employed.(5) Limitations imposed upon the operag.Regardless of how the delay is accom- tion. If the commander visualizes anyplished, continuous delay is inherent in eachconditions that might limit the plandelayaction. Continuous delay is achieved byning of his subordinates, he must anmaintainingconstant contact with the enemynounce the limitations. For example,with at least a portion of the delaying forcethe unrestricted demolition of bridgesduring the entire delay period. Normally, ar-might interfere with subsequent offenmorunits will use all available forces to inflictsive plans.AGO 9139A 131